Chapter 8 - Her Mother Was Never Buried
Adeline stared at the photograph until the room blurred.
“That isn't possible.”
Her mother had died three years ago.
Adeline had stood beside the hospital bed.
Held her hand.
Heard the monitor stop.
Signed paperwork.
Planned the funeral.
Buried her.
Yet the woman in the photograph was unmistakably Eleanor Vance.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
On the back:
ASK ROARKE WHAT HIS FAMILY DID WITH YOUR MOTHER.
Adeline called him.
He arrived in nine minutes.
She slapped the photograph against his chest.
“Explain.”
Roarke looked.
And went pale.
That terrified her more than anything.
“You've seen her.”
“No.”
“You recognized something.”
“The building.”
“What building?”
“A Castellano safe house.”
Adeline stepped backward.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“I didn't.”
“Your family kept my mother alive?”
“I don't know.”
“Find out.”
He made one call.
Within twenty minutes, they were driving north.
The safe house stood abandoned.
Inside, they found medical equipment.
Old restraints.
Prescription bottles.
And a room with Eleanor's name written on a chart.
Adeline nearly collapsed.
Roarke caught her.
She pushed him away.
“Don't.”
He released her immediately.
A hidden camera began blinking.
Then a screen activated.
Silvio appeared.
“Welcome.”
Adeline stared.
Silvio smiled from the recording.
“Eleanor Vance discovered too much. Unfortunately for her, death was the safest identity available.”
Adeline whispered, “What did you do?”
“She survived her illness. Barely. I arranged the rest.”
Roarke's hands curled into fists.
Silvio continued.
“I needed her alive because Antonio told her where the original evidence was hidden. She refused to tell me. For three years.”
Adeline covered her mouth.
Her mother had been alive.
A prisoner.
While she and Posy mourned her.
The recording continued.
“Your mother is alive, Adeline. And if you want her returned, bring Roarke to Pier 19 tomorrow night.”
The screen went dark.
Adeline turned toward Roarke.
“No.”
He knew immediately what she meant.
“You're not trading yourself.”
“That's not your decision.”
“It is when the person being traded is me.”
“My mother—”
“Will be rescued.”
“How?”
Roarke stepped closer.
“Trust me.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You want trust now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
His answer came quietly.
“Because I love you.”
Adeline stopped breathing.
Roarke seemed almost angry with himself for saying it.
“I didn't intend to.”
“That might be the worst declaration of love in history.”
“I'm aware.”
She stared at him.
“You barely know me.”
“I know you work until you collapse rather than accept charity. I know you cut Posy's sandwiches diagonally because she refuses to eat squares. I know you pretend you're fearless whenever you're terrified. I know you check every medication label twice. I know you hate expensive coffee and secretly like my grandmother. I know you would walk into hell for your family.”
He paused.
“And apparently I would follow you.”
Adeline's eyes filled.
“This is terrible timing.”
“My timing has never been good.”
She laughed through tears.
Then kissed him.
It wasn't elegant.
It wasn't careful.
It was weeks of fear, anger, gratitude, and something neither had been willing to name.
When they separated, Roarke rested his forehead against hers.
“Now let me bring your mother home.”
The following night, Roarke walked onto Pier 19 apparently alone.
Silvio waited.
Eleanor sat inside a car.
Alive.
Adeline watched from a concealed surveillance van.
The plan worked until Silvio changed the terms.
He didn't want Roarke dead.
He wanted Roarke publicly destroyed.
The ledger contained evidence capable of implicating Matteo Castellano and several corrupt officials.
Silvio intended to release altered versions framing Roarke.
But he hadn't anticipated Eleanor.
When Silvio opened the car door, Eleanor struck him with the metal edge of her handcuffs.
Roarke moved.
Adeline's team moved.
Gunfire erupted.
Matteo Castellano appeared from a second vehicle.
The true architect.
Silvio had betrayed Antonio.
But Matteo had ordered the murder.
And now uncle and lieutenant turned their weapons on each other.
Silvio shouted the truth.
“You promised me his empire!”
Matteo laughed.
“You were always disposable.”
The words broke whatever remained between them.
Silvio raised his gun toward Matteo.
Matteo fired first.
Silvio fell.
Roarke tackled Matteo.
Police sirens approached.
Not Castellano men.
Actual federal agents.
Roarke had already turned over copies of the evidence.
Matteo was arrested.
Adeline ran toward the car.
Her mother looked up.
For three years, Adeline had imagined what she would say if she could see her again.
Nothing came.
Only one word.
“Mom?”
Eleanor broke.
“My baby.”
Adeline fell into her arms.
Then Eleanor looked over her shoulder.
“Where is Posy?”
Adeline laughed through sobs.
“Waiting for you.”
For the first time in three years, Eleanor smiled.
But behind them, Silvio suddenly moved.
May you like
His hand reached toward the gun beside him.
And the barrel pointed directly at Roarke.
